Zampa rejects idea Australia do not value T20s — and more

T20 World Cup, Group B, Pallekele

Oman 104 (16.2 overs): Wasim 32 (33); Zampa 4-21

Australia 108-1 (9.4 overs): Marsh 64 (33)

Australia won by nine wickets

Scorecard. Tables

Spinner Adam Zampa rejected the narrative Australia do not value T20 cricket as highly as other formats after his side departed the World Cup by thrashing Oman for a consolation nine-wicket win.

Mitchell Marsh's side were already out of the tournament after defeats by Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe but lifted themselves to dismiss Oman for 104 before racing to their target in just 9.4 overs.

Since their exit was confirmed on Tuesday, it has been suggested Australia do not value the shortest format as highly as Test or 50-over cricket.

"It is totally false," said Zampa, a white-ball specialist who has never played a Test.

"The time the coaches and staff put into our T20 cricket is probably as much as Test cricket, potentially even more time because T20 cricket and one-day cricket, everyone is a lot tighter in the world. The work is definitely there."

Australia's poor World Cup follows their 4-1 victory over England in the Ashes. They have not lost an Ashes series since 2015. They have won six 50-over World Cups but only one of the 10 men's T20 World Cups.

They lost bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood to injury before this tournament while left-armer Mitchell Starc has also retired from T20s, but their thinking often appeared muddled throughout the group stage here.

"The Australian public struggle with the fact they don't get to see much white-ball cricket played," said 33-year-old Zampa.

"We play three to six games in the summer and do a lot of our work away from Australian time.

"They don't get to see the way we play and prepare for these World Cups.

"It is disappointing it has ended like this but the work and time is as much as the other formats."

How Australia thrashed Oman

Zampa said he was "feeling pretty hollow" after the win over Oman.

He took four wickets but said it was the "worst-feeling four-for I have ever got".

Seamer Xavier Bartlett bowled Aamir Kaleem with the first ball of the match and the seamer barely celebrated - a clear sign of Australia's disappointment at their early exit.

Though the flat atmosphere continued, Australia were clinical. Wasim Ali's 32 was the highest score for Oman, who depart the tournament with four defeats from four.

Captain Marsh, seemingly keen to hit through any frustrations at his side's run, then crashed seven fours and four sixes, including two huge hits over the leg side, to wrap up victory in quick time.

Only 12 runs were needed when left-arm spinner Shakeel Ahmed dismissed Travis Head for 32. Marsh finished unbeaten on 64 from 33.

Australia's victory concludes the group stage of the World Cup - this was one of few mismatches between the lower and higher-ranked sides.

The Super 8s begin on Saturday with a meeting between New Zealand and Pakistan in Colombo. England play co-hosts Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Sunday.

• Stats battle: Can you beat our new T20 World Cup game?
• 'It smacks of England' - Australia fail again at T20 World Cup

A tough blow for Real.

Real Madrid has added a new name to its injury list at a crucial moment in the 2026 season. After undergoing various clinical examinations, the club’s medical staff confirmed that Dean Huijsen has suffered an injury that will prevent him from playing immediately.

According to the official medical statement released by the club on February 20, the central defender is suffering from a muscle injury in his right calf. As is customary in the club’s statements, no exact recovery time was specified, with the statement simply indicating that the player is “awaiting further developments.” However, this type of injury typically requires between two and three weeks of rehabilitation, depending on the degree of muscle tear.

This injury represents a significant setback for Real’s defensive rotation, especially since Huijsen had established himself as a regular substitute and a hope for the future. The coaching staff will now have to adjust their defensive plans for the upcoming matches, while the player begins his recovery process at Ciudad Real Madrid.

This article was translated into French by artificial intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

Michael Carrick praised Manchester United's "diversity" after the club's co-owner Jim Ratcliffe caused controversy by claiming the United Kingdom has been "colonised by immigrants".

Ratcliffe was widely criticised for his outburst last week and later apologised if his remarks had "offended some people".

According to reports on Friday, Ratcliffe will not face a Football Association charge after the governing body last week said it was looking into his rant.

Facing the media on Friday for the first time since Ratcliffe's incendiary comments, United interim manager Carrick highlighted his club's inclusive attitude.

"Sir Jim has made a statement, and then the club's made a statement on the back of it so for me to add to that is not my place. What I can say is, as I've been around this club many, many years, we always make a huge impact globally," Carrick told reporters on Friday.

"We're really proud of the environment and the culture that we've got at the club, and equality and diversity and respect for each other is something that we look to carry through every day."

Carrick spent 12 years as a decorated United midfielder and is in his second spell as a temporary boss following Ruben Amorim's sacking in January.

The 44-year-old is deeply engrained in United's culture and has no doubts about the integrity of the club's efforts to be welcoming to people of all ethnicities.

"Part of being at this club is we understand what it is like globally and the responsibilities we have," he said.

"I can only speak from my experiences, I have been here for a long time with various managers, various staff, all backgrounds, different backgrounds and it is something I am fully aware of. I am proud of what the club stands for."

Carrick is confident that the controversy generated by Ratcliffe's views will not have a negative affect on his multi-national squad.

"We have got a really strong group whether that is the players and the staff and around the club. I think we are in constant communication anyway and speak to each other and help each other," Carrick said ahead of Monday's Premier League clash at Everton.

"The boys have been in really good spirits this week. We are looking forward to the next game. We are here to help each other and support each other."

smg/mw